McKenzie played the comb by placing tissue paper over the tines and blowing on it, which produced a sound similar to a kazoo. McKenzie also played the kazoo proper, and occasionally sang. He was a co-founder, with Jack Bland, of the Mound City Blue Blowers, who released a number of titles between 1924 and 1925 and were, for a time, a sensation. At the same time, McKenzie also recorded solo as Red McKenzie & the Candy Kids. In 1928, he fronted a group called McKenzie and Condon's Chicagoans for a few sides on Okeh Records. He returned to the Mound City name again in 1929, 1931, and 1935-36.
Beginning in 1931 (no doubt due to the popularity of crooners like Bing Crosby and Russ Columbo), he started recording as a singer, processing a very warm crooner style as a solo for Columbia and with Paul Whiteman in 1932. He sang again with the Spirits of Rhythm in 1934 and the Farley-Riley group in 1935. He made two swinging vocal records for Variety in 1937. Between 1939 and 1943 he went into retirement, moving back to his birthplace of St. Louis and working in a brewery, but appeared with Eddie Condon between 1944 to 1947 as a vocalist. Known as heavy drinker, he died of liver cirrhosis in 1948.
Dinah
Red McKenzie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gave me Dinah;
I'm the proudest one
Beneath the Dixie sun.
News is spreadin'
'Bout our weddin';
I hear church bells ringin',
Dinah,
Is there anyone finer
In the state of Carolina?
If there is and you know her,
Show her!
Dinah,
With her Dixie eyes blazin',
How I love to sit and gaze in
To the eyes of Dinah Lee!
Yet, every night,
My, how I shake with fright,
Because my Dinah might,
Change her mind about me!
But if Dinah,
Ever wandered to China,
I would hop an ocean liner,
Just to be with Dinah Lee!
Dinah,
Is there anyone finer
In the state of Carolina?
If there is and you know her,
Show her!
Dinah,
With her Dixie eyes blazin',
How I love to sit and gaze in
To the eyes of Dinah Lee!
Yet, every night,
My, how I shake with fright,
Because my Dinah might,
Change her mind about me!
But if Dinah,
Ever wandered to China,
I would hop an ocean!,
Just to be with Dinah Lee!
The song "Dinah" by Red McKenzie is a jubilant expression of love for a woman named Dinah from the state of Carolina. The singer is proud to have her as his partner and imagines a future with her, even going so far as to say he would follow her to China if she ever decided to go. However, despite his confident tone, the singer also admits to being afraid that Dinah might change her mind about him.
The lyrics of "Dinah" are straightforward enough, but the energy and emotion with which they are delivered make the song stand out. The repeated refrain of "Is there anyone finer / In the state of Carolina?" is an exclamation of joy and admiration for Dinah, while the verses showcase the singer's love and fear in equal measure. By the end of the song, the listener is left feeling as though they know both the singer and Dinah personally.
Overall, "Dinah" is a catchy, upbeat song that celebrates love and the beauty of the state of Carolina. Through its lyrics, the song captures the excitement, fear, and devotion of being in love, making it an enduring classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Carolina
The place where Red met Dinah
Gave me Dinah;
Introduced Red to Dinah
I'm the proudest one
Red is very proud to be with Dinah
Beneath the Dixie sun.
Red is happy to be in Dixie with Dinah
News is spreadin'
People are talking about Red and Dinah's wedding
'Bout our weddin';
People are discussing the impending nuptials of Red and Dinah
I hear church bells ringin',
Red can hear the bells ringing in anticipation of the wedding
Here's the song my heart keeps singin':
Red's heart is filled with love and he can't help but sing
Dinah,
Red is addressing Dinah
Is there anyone finer
Red thinks Dinah is the best woman in Carolina
In the state of Carolina?
Red believes that Dinah is better than any other woman in Carolina
If there is and you know her,
Red is challenging anyone who thinks otherwise to bring forth their candidate
Show her!
Red is confident that no one can beat Dinah's beauty
With her Dixie eyes blazin',
Red is captivated by Dinah's sparkling, Southern eyes
How I love to sit and gaze in
Red enjoys looking into Dinah's eyes
To the eyes of Dinah Lee!
Dinah's eyes are a source of fascination for Red
Yet, every night,
Red is worried about losing Dinah
My, how I shake with fright,
Red is afraid of being rejected by Dinah
Because my Dinah might,
Red is worried that Dinah might break up with him
Change her mind about me!
Red fears that Dinah will have a change of heart
But if Dinah,
Red has an undying love for Dinah
Ever wandered to China,
If Dinah were to go to China, Red would go after her
I would hop an ocean liner,
Red would travel any distance to be with Dinah
Just to be with Dinah Lee!
Red's love for Dinah is strong enough to lead him to cross oceans
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Akst, Samuel M. Lewis, Joseph Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind